Welcome Table serves more than a hot meal

Published: Saturday, January 19, 2013 at 11:21 a.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, January 19, 2013 at 11:21 a.m.

The Welcome Table at Hope United Methodist Church, East Flat Rock, is a ministry that has served meals since May 2011.

The start-up of the Welcome Table was funded by a grant from the Reynolds Foundation, and a warm, nutritious meal is served every Tuesday night to anyone who comes.

The Welcome Table also features a children’s corner with adult supervision, weekly blood pressure checks and general health advice provided by three dedicated nurses.

A devotional service also is offered. Several people coming to the Welcome Table also have been helped in their search for shelter, jobs and a church home.

Along with food, some items bought with the grant and donations are a chest freezer, refrigerator, ice maker, stockroom, and 100 china plates to use for special occasions.

Four area churches volunteer to help, and five rotating cooks prepare the meals. Also, meals have been supplied by Mills River and Hope United Methodist Women, Hope and Mills River United Methodist Men, Mills River United Methodist Church Youth, and Relate Church.

Last June, a meal was provided by Hot Dog World. The Thanksgiving and Christmas meals also were a huge success, with the turkeys supplied by Lynchfield United Methodist Church. In February, a meal will be prepared by Etowah United Methodist Church.

The Welcome Table is held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. every Tuesday.

Call 828-230-3533, 828-697-6846 or email info@hopeumcefr.org for more information.

<p>The Welcome Table at Hope United Methodist Church, East Flat Rock, is a ministry that has served meals since May 2011.</p><p>The start-up of the Welcome Table was funded by a grant from the Reynolds Foundation, and a warm, nutritious meal is served every Tuesday night to anyone who comes.</p><p>The Welcome Table also features a children's corner with adult supervision, weekly blood pressure checks and general health advice provided by three dedicated nurses.</p><p>A devotional service also is offered. Several people coming to the Welcome Table also have been helped in their search for shelter, jobs and a church home.</p><p>Along with food, some items bought with the grant and donations are a chest freezer, refrigerator, ice maker, stockroom, and 100 china plates to use for special occasions.</p><p>Four area churches volunteer to help, and five rotating cooks prepare the meals. Also, meals have been supplied by Mills River and Hope United Methodist Women, Hope and Mills River United Methodist Men, Mills River United Methodist Church Youth, and Relate Church.</p><p>Last June, a meal was provided by Hot Dog World. The Thanksgiving and Christmas meals also were a huge success, with the turkeys supplied by Lynchfield United Methodist Church. In February, a meal will be prepared by Etowah United Methodist Church.</p><p>The Welcome Table is held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. every Tuesday.</p><p>Call 828-230-3533, 828-697-6846 or email info@hopeumcefr.org for more information.</p>